10 Tips to Help You Get the Best Out of Your Cruise

10 Tips to Help You Get the Best Out of Your Cruise

Go for value. Keep in mind that “cheap” is not always the best way to go. Talk to your travel agent and they can recommend the best choice for you and your family depending on what you enjoy. All your meals and entertainment are included and the convenience of only having to unpack once. A cruise is one of the best ways to get value out of your vacation.

Don’t take too many clothes. Some ships have laundry facilities or a few things can be rinsed out in the sink. Especially if you are touring before or after the cruise you don’t want a lot of extra baggage in tow.

Don’t overeat. Stay active. Just because the food is there doesn’t mean you have to eat more than you normally would. The ship offers a fully-equipped workout centre and then there are some active side-trips available. I would suggest taking the stairs instead of the elevators.

Stay safe and be aware. There are many strangers and a ship is like a floating resort so take the same precautions that you would in a big city to stay safe.

Protect your passport. Staterooms feature a safe where you can store your valuables so use it. Also, I recommend taking a photocopy of your documents and keeping one at home and the other in your suitcase.

Flashy jewellery. If you must take the “real” thing on your cruise it is best to wear these for dinners or other special occasions onboard. When taking an excursion off-ship it is safer to leave your valuables locked up in your stateroom.

Stateroom. Where you are on the ship can also affect whether you enjoy your cruise. Discuss this with your travel agent. Some people choose to be close to the elevators for convenience while others want to be in an area that is as quiet as possible. Some people prefer to be on a higher deck and near midship. Many people choose to have a stateroom with a window. If you wish to enjoy a veranda then book a stateroom with this feature. Don’t rely on being upgraded and then being disappointed.

Dressing. Some people love going to the formal nights dressed in their best and others choose to dress more casually or go to another venue for their meals on formal nights. The choice is yours.

Excursions. When the ship is docked at a port you have the option to take a sidetrip or excursion and these can often be booked ahead. Planning in advance will make sure you aren’t disappointed if you want a popular one and it’s sold out by the time you take your cruise. Your travel agent can help you with this also.

Good walking shoes. If you are taking new shoes, break them in before leaving on your trip. Comfortable shoes are a must especially if you plan to tour the ports where the ship stops.